Automated boats washing dock and relative method for boats washing in the automated boats washing dock

ABSTRACT

An automated boat washing dock includes: at least one hull washing block configured for performing the washing of the boat; at least one translation block for moving the hull in the lengthwise direction within the dock; and at least one lifting block for lifting the boat within the dock. The translation block comprises: at least one block for managing the hull&#39;s entrance within the dock, positioning the boat within the system, scanning the hull bottom, detecting its geometry, and performing a computer reconstruction using dedicated software; mechanical arms used for the hull handling; at least one block for managing the hull movements across the dock using the mechanical arms and using the geometry detected and reconstructed by the dedicated computer software; and at least one block for managing the hull&#39;s exit from the dock using the mechanical arms.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an automated boats washing dock.

In particular, the present invention relates to an automated boatswashing dock of the type carrying out the complete boats washingdirectly into the sea.

The present invention relates also to a method for boats washing in theautomated boats washing dock.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known, in the field of crafts, the cleaning of the boat'ssubmerged part, the so-called “hull”, is of great importance. Indeed,since the boat is put in the sea, a thin layer of vegetation begins toform on the bottom of the boat itself. This layer, consisting ofbacteria, microorganisms, protozoa, and macro algae, tends toconsolidate more and more, favoring the formation of small deposits thatbecome very difficult to remove. The growth of these organisms leads toan appreciable decrease in the performance of the boat and,consequently, to a higher consumption of energy resources necessary forits thrust, as well as a slow and continuous deterioration of the hull.

The known solutions to solve this problem involve the treatment of thehull with poisonous chemicals, the so-called “anti-fouling”, which,however, only slow down, without eliminating, the proliferation oforganisms and micro-organisms, flora and fauna that contact the hull.Moreover, the treatment is repeated once a year or every two years andrequires a complex series of operations, such as:—haulage, whichconsists in the extraction of the boat from the water;—potting andpressure washing, through which the boat is dry placed;—The dock, whichconsists in the cleaning of the hull;—The launch, or the boat laying inthe water. Therefore, the time taken to perform the dock is long andtedious and takes about one or two weeks of work. In addition, all ofthese operations have a relatively high cost, pollute of the marineenvironment with the anti-fouling paints used and are also risky foroperators and for the boat, because the hauling, the potting andpressure washing involve the lifting of the vessel by means of systemscomprising pulleys and cables passed under the hull.

As an example, the patent DE 19734073 assigned on Nov. 12, 1998 toFRAUNHOFER GES FORSCHUNG describes a method involving projecting a highpressure water jet over the surface of the hull which is raised out ofthe water. The lift to raise the hull out of the water for cleaning hasat least two upwardly open U-shaped profiled supports. These havemovable carriages, attached to each facing upper U-shank with wincheseach having a support strap. The cleaning jet has at least two water jetnozzles movable along and perpendicular to the marine vessellongitudinal axis and each positioned on the opposing sides of the hull.

The problem of this solution is that it is necessary that the hull israised out of the water.

A recent solution of marine plant for the automatic washing of boats, inparticular for cleaning the hull, is described in the internationalpatent application US 2008282956 published on Nov. 20, 2008 in the nameof the present Applicant. The patent application describes a marineplant for the automatic washing of boats comprising a supportingstructure partially submerged, means for cleaning the boat, means fortransmitting the motion commanded by at least one motor suitable forreciprocally positioning at least part of said cleaning means inrelation to the boat, and a command unit for the operator to control themarine plant.

However, this solution has the problem of the efficient utilization ofthe system described.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A purpose of the present invention is to provide an automated boatswashing dock and relative method for boats washing in the automatedboats washing dock, able to perform the automatic cleaning of the boatand in particular of the hull without removing the boat from the waterand using the plant for the automatic washing patented by the sameApplicant.

According to the present invention, an automated boats washing dock isrealized, as defined in claim 1.

According to the present invention a method for boats washing in theautomated boats washing dock is also realized, as defined in claim 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention a preferredembodiment is now described, purely as a non-limiting example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a marine plant for the automaticwashing of boats, according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an automated boats washing dock,according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a flow diagram of a method for boatswashing in the automated boats washing dock, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to these figures, and, in particular, to FIG. 2, anautomated boat washing dock is shown, according to the invention. Indetails, the automated boat washing dock 100 comprises a translationblock 101 for introducing and moving the hull within the dock, a block102 for lifting the boat, a block 103 for washing the hull and a block104 for suction and purification of the waste water of the hull washing.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the positioning of the boatin the dock 100 is performed by micrometric GPS means.

More in details, the translation block 101 for introducing and movingthe hull within the dock comprises a block 105 for management of thehull entrance, configured for drawing the boats, for positioning themaligned to a predetermined distance axis inside the washing plant 1,shown in FIG. 1, and finally for scanning the bottom of the hull bydetecting the geometries and performing a computer reconstruction bymeans of a dedicated software.

According to an aspect of the invention, the translation block 101comprises mechanical arms used for the handling of the hull. Themechanical arms are able to exercise contact with the hull by means ofmovable wheels and/or drag wheels and/or depreciated tampons, which aremaintained into contact with the sides of the boat by means of poweraccessories (hydraulic type and/or electromechanical type). Inparticular, the power accessories maintain the contact with the hull andensure a constant pressure by managing the control system by means ofload cells and optical readers. Contact accessories are fixed to themechanical arms by means of an articulation axle, so that they canoscillate around its articulation axis and adapt to the profile of theside of the hull.

According to an aspect of the invention, the dock 100 comprises a seriesof floating docks below the hull, such as to create a working area toperform maintenance of various types of the hull, of the appendages andof the governance and propulsion bodies of the boat.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the scanning of the hull ismade by means of a laser beam per 10 cm of advancement.

Moreover, the block 101 comprises a block 106 for management of the hullmovements across the dock 100 by means of the mechanical arms.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the block 106 is controlledhydraulically and/or electromechanically, determines the inversion ofthe motion and ensures the crossing of the washing area in both inputand output directions, depending on the areas to be washed and on thepredetermined washing path.

Finally, the block 101 comprises a block 107 for managing the hull exit,configured for accompanying the hull out of the automated boats washingdock 100 by means of the mechanical arms.

The block 102 for lifting the boat comprises mechanical hinged armsstretching towards predetermined gripping points of the hull, the pointsbeing established as a function of the detected hull geometry, andperforming the lifting of the hull, in accordance with the currentsafety mechanics standards.

The block 103 for washing the hull comprises horizontal cylindricalrotating brushes having compressed air nozzles and suitable for cleaningthe horizontal or inclined surfaces of the hull, up to a specific angleof the bottom of the hull detected by the scanning and reconstructed bymeans of the dedicated software. The block 103 comprises also rotatingcylindrical vertical brushes having compressed air nozzles and suitablefor cleaning the side surfaces of the hull and all surfaces that are nottreatable with the horizontal cylindrical brushes, for example the axes'lines, the stands, the rudders, the propellers and each genericappendage detected by the scanning and reconstructed by the software.Moreover, these brushes are able to follow the shapes changes of thebottom of any hull by means of a servo mechanical and/or hydraulicsystem.

According to an aspect of the invention, the suction block 104 forexhausting and purifying the waste water of the hull washing isconnected to suction inlets positioned close to the system 100.

According to another aspect of the invention, the suction andpurification block 104 for suction and purification of the waste waterof the hull washing is configured for exhausting the waste water withina closed water basin.

As explained above, the present application also relates to a method forboats washing in the automated boats washing dock above described. Themethod comprises the steps of:

preparing the automated boats washing dock 100 by opening the mechanicalarms configured for taking over the boat;

supporting the boats entering and positioning within the automated boatswashing dock 100;

classifying the type of hull between: planing/displacing hull, sailing,catamaran/trimaran;

closing the mechanical arms to take over the boat;

scanning the boats to reconstruct its three-dimensional geometry, bymeans of a dedicated software;

carrying out a boats treatment phase;

storing the information on the treatment phase performed and connectingit to the license plate number of the boats;

Releasing the hull and expelling the boats by means of the opening ofthe mechanical arms.

In FIG. 3 a flow diagram of the method for boats washing in theautomated boats washing dock is shown.

According to an aspect of the invention, the step of scanning the boatto reconstruct its three-dimensional geometry, by means of dedicatedsoftware, comprises the step of scanning the immersed hull by means of asonar and of detecting the profile of the hull by means of a laser.

According to another aspect of the invention, the boat treatment phasecomprises performing the lifting of the boat, or performing the boatwashing, or performing the boat lifting and then the boat washing. Inparticular, the boat lifting is performed in a different mannerdepending on the type of boat defined in the classification stage.

Advantageously, according to the invention, in the case of firstintervention on a boat, the lifting step comprises performing a step ofaccompanying the boat in the lifting position by means of manualcalibration.

Furthermore, the lifting step comprises performing the lifting by meansof simultaneous action of a plurality of mechanical arms simultaneouslyoperating on the gripping points of the immersed hull such as to ensurethe lifting of the boat.

Advantageously, according to the invention, in the case of firstintervention on a boat, the washing step comprises performing thewashing action by manual calibration.

Furthermore, the washing step comprises washing by means of combinedaction of rotating brushes simultaneously operating on the immersed hulland on the sides of the boat.

Furthermore, the step of scanning the boat is preceded by the step ofputting the axis of the hull centered with the axis of the dock system100, using geometric redundancies and retroactive control.

According to one aspect of the invention, the scanning of the immersedhull is performed by a sonar profiler.

Advantageously, the washing process is performed by the combined actionof the rotating horizontal and vertical brushes.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the washing is performed onthe bottom, on the sides, on the drifts, on the transom, on the bulbs,on the fins and on the various appendages of the boat.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the washing is alsoperformed on the propulsion organs and on the governance organs, such aspropellers, rudders, shaft lines, stabilizing fins, scuppers.

Advantageously, the washing step comprises the steps of operating therotation of the brushes, of activating the air-water descaling nozzlesand of activating the block for exhausting the washing waste water.

Advantageously, according to the invention, during the crossing of theboat in the washing block, the relative positions of the brushes withrespect to the geometry of the hull are handled by means of thededicated control software that allows to communicate to a centralcontrol system the punctual hull position and to manage the geometricvariation of the brushes positions, depending on the geometry of thehull relative to the variation timely detected.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the dock 100 comprisesbrushes dedicated to boat appendices, for example keel and rudder, whichguarantee the cleaning without contacting the hull.

Therefore, the automated boats washing dock and relative method forboats washing in the automated boats washing dock according to theinvention allow to manage the lifting and the washing of the boat in aprecise manner due to the geometry scanning of the boat surfaces.

Another advantage of the automated boats washing dock and relativemethod for boats washing in the automated boats washing dock accordingto the invention consists in the fact that it is not necessary to removethe boat from the water to use the washing plant.

Moreover, the automated boats washing dock and relative method for boatswashing in the automated boats washing dock according to the inventionare much more effective and efficient than the known systems andmethods.

Finally it is clear that the automated boats washing dock and relativemethod for boats washing in the automated boats washing dock accordingto the invention described and illustrated here can be modified andvaried without departing from the protective scope of the presentinvention, as defined in the appended claims.

1. An automated boat washing dock comprising: at least one hull washingblock configured to wash a hull of a boat; at least one translationblock for moving the hull in a lengthwise direction within the dock; atleast one lifting block for lifting the boat within the dock; whereinsaid translation block comprises: at least one block configured tomanage the hull's entrance within the dock, draw the boat, position theboat within the system, scan the hull bottom, detecting a geometry ofthe hull, and perform a computer reconstruction using dedicatedsoftware; mechanical arms configured to handle the hull; at least oneblock configured to manage movements of the hull across the dock usingthe mechanical arms and the computer reconstruction performed by thededicated computer software; and at least one block configured to managean exit of the hull from the dock using the mechanical arms.
 2. Theautomated boat washing dock according to claim 1, comprising at leastone suction and purification block for suction and purification of wastewater of the hull washing.
 3. The automated boat washing dock accordingto claim 1, wherein said suction and purification block of waste wateris connected to suction inlets positioned close to the dock.
 4. Theautomated boat washing dock according to claim 1, wherein said liftingblock comprises hinged mechanical arms configured for stretching towardscertain gripping points of the hull established as a function of thescanned geometry and for lifting the hull.
 5. A method for washing aboat in an automated boat washing dock comprising: washing a hull of theboat's within the automated boat washing dock, the washing including:opening mechanical arms comprised in the automated boats washing dockfor taking over the boat; supporting the boat entering and positioningthe boat within the automated boats washing dock; classifying the hullas a type comprised in the group constituted by: planing/displacinghull, sailing, catamaran/trimaran; closing the mechanical arms to takeover the boat; scanning the boat and reconstructing a three-dimensionalgeometry of the boat using dedicated software; performing a treatmentphase of the boat; storing information related to the treatment phaseand associating the information with a license plate number of the boat;releasing the hull and expelling the boat by opening the mechanicalarms.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of scanningthe boat comprises the step of scanning the hull, while the hull isimmersed, using a sonar and a laser detecting a profile of the hull. 7.The method according to claim 5, wherein performing the treatment phasecomprises performing a step selected from: lifting the boat; washing theboat; performing sequentially the lifting and the washing of the boat.8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of liftingcomprises performing a manual calibration in the lifting position,during a first cleaning of the boat.
 9. The method according to claim 7,wherein the step of lifting comprises performing the lifting using aplurality of mechanical arms simultaneously operating on gripping pointsof the hull while the hull is immersed so as to ensure the lifting ofthe boat.
 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the washing stepcomprises performing the washing through a manual calibration during afirst cleaning of the boat.
 11. The method according to claim 7, whereinthe washing step comprises performing the washing by a combined actionof rotating brushes simultaneously operating on the hull, while the hullis immersed, and on sides of the boat.
 12. The method according to claim5, wherein the step of scanning the boat is preceded by the step ofputting an axis of the hull centered with an axis of the dock.
 13. Themethod according to claim 5, wherein the step of scanning the boatcomprises the step of scanning the hull, while the hull is immersed,using a sonar profiler.